Pizza shop fined over health breaches

A Townsville pizza shop has been fined $20,000 for dodgy food hygiene.

Dominos at Aitkenvale had failed to keep food under appropriate temperatures, had dirty walls and floors and staff were not trained in proper food safety and hygiene.

The Magistrates Court found the store guilty of four breaches of the Food Act 2006 and ordered it to pay $20,000 for the offences as well as court and council costs.

Townsville City Council's Healthy and Safe City Committee Chair Cr Gary Eddiehausen said the offences, which occurred in January, 2011, were serious breaches of the Act.

"This case shows very clearly why it is so important for the council to maintain a stringent inspection process of food premises to protect the health and safety of our community," he said.

"The decision is the result of a lot of hard work by our environmental health staff and legal officers in preparing this case," he said.

"While a majority of food premises do the right thing, the $20,000 penalty will send a very strong message to businesses with risky food practices that the council is on the front foot when it comes to community safety."

Dominos yesterday said a new management team had been put in place since the breaches.

"Dominos Aitkenvale has also undergone an extensive cleaning and maintenance program to ensure all breaches have been addressed," it said in a statement.

Source: Townsville Bulletin, 2 July 2012